Good morning, lovelies. It is a gorgeous Monday morning, and I cannot wait to get the week started! You are probably thinking, why I am so chipper and upbeat on this Monday morning? Well, I have some exciting news and thought it would be the best way to kick off the week. Yes, I know you are still living the weekend dream and probably are having a hard time getting going. But trust me when I say that you will have a brighter morning once you read on and see what I am so thrilled about. I am super excited about Bridal Hot List reaching the one year mark. I cannot believe that it has been a year already. It has been an incredible year full of some amazing achievements and it’s incredible to look back at the past year to see how far we have come.

We had a great time celebrating the one year anniversary of Bridal Hot List last weekend. All of our closest family, friends and readers came out to join in on the festivities, and we truly had a blast. Among those in attendance were a few of our contributors including Chelsea, Tania and Andrea, as well as many amazing vendors.

BHL Staff

The Highlights:

The event was very reflective of the site’s vision and style, with colors of soft pink, grey, and white – a very shabby chic look. The wonderful and ever-so-talented event planner, Erika Bowers, made my vision of all the ideas, thoughts, and pretty details into a perfect reality. I could not ask for a better event planner to help put this all together. As you know, I am huge lover of all things trending and our team is always in search of new and hot trends. So that is why I fell head over heels in love with the idea of a grand wall, all decorated with paper flowers. Can you say “WOW”? I mean, this wall is everything.

Among the many amazing and lovely details, we had a custom made backdrop for the photo booth. The backdrop was made of gorgeous satin ribbons. By now you know that I am obsessed with photo booths and all the fun details that comes with them. I fell in love with this idea of a ribbon backdrop, and when I mentioned this to Erika, she was on board right away. Of course, she was able to create a stunning custom-made backdrop, all dolled up and ready for action.

I was already happy and just smiling from cheek to cheek with all the beautiful details the party had. But what was the cherry on top? The romantic and whimsical bridal gown from R-Mine. This gown was recently featured on the cover of the Fall/Winter issue of California Wedding Day magazine. This gown was showcased live at the event by our gorgeous and ever-so-pretty model. Oh, and if that was not enough, the lovely and brilliantly talented designer, Armine, was present at the party. She is not only a beautiful designer, but a sweet and lovely gal. I feel so lucky to have met her and featured her gowns at BHL’s one year party.

This event was not only about celebrating BHL, but a celebration of amazing and talented wedding industry people. My passion of “all things wedding” is shared with my lovely wedding colleagues. I am happy and blessed to be among some of the most talented people this industry has to offer. I mean, could it be any better than this?

I have to take a pause here and give a HUGE thank you to my husband. He is my rock, my support, my business expert, and so much more. Without my husband, I would not have reached this one year mark, and BHL would not be where it is today. Thank you to my love!

Owner and Chief Editor Niloufar Gibson with her husband, Sean

The Bridal Hot List one-year anniversary milestone turned out to be a great event celebrated with the some of the greatest people around. I cannot wait to see what the next year holds. Trust me when I tell you that there are big things planned for Year Two of the BHL experience.

“BHL” Custom cookies by Sweet Missy’s Custom Cookies

Thank you to all our readers. We sending you a whole lot of love!

Thank you to all the fabulous and talented vendors who made Bridal Hot List’s One year anniversary party an amazing night!

I think the best way to start the weekend is with a recap of last night’s episode of “Four Weddings” onTLC. What are your thoughts of the four brides and their weddings? What details stood out for you? Was there one bride which had a total “wow” wedding day? In case you missed it, we have all the fun filled details right here.

Who are the Brides?:

Laura is ready to say I do at her outdoor wedding location. The venue is a old textile mill, and the wedding starts with the ceremony right outside. The backdrop? A gorgeous waterfall. The bridesmaids have royal blue short dresses and carrying bright yellow bouquets. The bride? She is wearing a simple white gown with a touch of bling on the waist. After a lovely ceremony, guests enter the textile building where the cocktail/reception takes place. Inside is very rustic feel, with a fireplace, wood details, and exposed rocks. The room has royal blue uplighting, and very simple centerpieces. The centerpieces are yellow and white roses in a vase with a touch of blue lighting. Since Laura and her groom are huge Penn State fans, their cake showed this off a bit more. The cake is a three tiered cake with yellow and royal blue ribbons, yellow flowers, and two Penn State bear figures as cake toppers. Guests then danced the night away.

Melissa a bride who wants to wow her guests with her Hollywood Glam wedding. Her special day begins at a church, and inside it is decorated with white and purple ribbons down the aisle, with two grand flower arrangements at the altar. After a tradtional ceremony, the pair of love birds share their own personal vows with each other. They kiss, and then join their guests a couple hours later for the reception. After cocktail hour, guests head down the red carpet, and into the reception space. The purple and white color theme continued in the reception room, with white chair covers, purple ties, and the guest tables had a flower centerpiece with yellow, purple, and white flowers. Each guest table had a different movie title as their “table number”. The bride and groom make their entrance with the announcement of the best dressed couple. They also received an award. Dinner and dancing soon followed.

Dee is ready to share her Indian and Latin cultures at her wedding. Before guests enter the outside ceremony space, they get to enjoy some lemonade and sweet treats. Guests grab a fan, and head to the gorgeous garden style location for an intimate wedding ceremony. The aisle is sprinkled with rose petals, and the chairs hang red roses. The backdrop is greenery all around. The bridesmaids wear read short dresses, while the groomsmen wear black suits with red ties. Dee wore a white gown, with a red sash. She accessorized with a beautiful headpiece, Indian style bangles, and henna decorated hands. After a romantic ceremony, guests travel to the reception hall for cocktail hour and reception to follow. The cocktail hour features desserts. Inside the reception space the colors of teal and red are combined. Teal uplighting, white chair covers and red ties, red table runner, and teal napkins. The centerpiece was exotic flowers with grand greenery. After dinner, Dee along with her bridesmaids dressed in traditional Saris, performed an Indian dance. The night continued with more dancing with all their guests.

Audrianna is ready to go big or go home on her wedding day. The ceremony takes place inside a room with white and yellow drapery covering the top, like a tent feel. Featured are hanging chandeliers, white chairs, a white aisle runner, and a pink cabana where the bride and groom would stand. After the ceremony, the guests head to a boathouse for cocktail hour and reception. Inside the reception space colors of pink and white with a touch of bling are featured. The guest table has a vase with floating pink flower and a lamp shade on top. The whole night was filled with dancing, and even more dancing. The bride also did a dress change after dinner so she can get her groove on.

A Hot Detail: There was one detail from each wedding that stood out for me. I really loved Laura’s outdoor ceremony. It was simple, yet so beautiful. Being a huge fan of outside ceremonies, this ceremony had it all. The breathtaking waterfall, the birds, the trees, and peaceful setting. I really loved this, as it made for a really memorable ceremony. So I have to say I absolutely LOVED the dessert bar at Melissa’s wedding. I love my desserts, and when there is more than wedding cake at a wedding, I am set. Super happy and a smile on my face. So when I saw the huge array of desserts offered, my mouth dropped. From, cake pops, chocolate covered strawberries to ice cream, this dessert table had it all. Yum! I loved the wedding favors at Dee’s wedding. It was a candle bar, where guests can make their own personal candles. I have never seen this at any wedding, and thought this was super unique and fun. How cool is that? I thought that the father daughter dance at Audrianna’s wedding was super sweet. It started off as a slow dance, and they busted out in free style fun. What a great way to celebrate!

Who won?: Congrats to Dee for winning! She and her husband won an all expenses paid honeymoon to St. Lucia. I was not surprised at all about Dee winning. As soon as I saw her wedding, and all the romantic and beautiful details, I knew she would win. While I can not account for the food since I wasn’t actually there, all the other details – venue, bride’s dress, and originality – were owned by Dee’s Indian Fusion wedding. I loved how she was able to incorporate her Indian culture together with her Latin culture into her wedding. It was done so elegantly, and oh so romantic. That ceremony space? Yes please! So lovely and pretty. There were also many personal touches which was amazing! I loved how desserts were served first, (since the groom loves to have desserts before dinner), and the special Indian dance performance. One word: Gorgeous! Congrats to Dee! So how did the other three brides score? Melissa came in second, Laura in third, and Audrianna in fourth. Were you surprised by the results? Love to hear from you, so please share!

The Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach recently hosted ‘Live! Your Wedding Day’- the wedding sensory experience. The sensory experience was an all-inclusive event with wedding vendors on site to provide a taste of what they have to offer on your special day. Vendors included florists, musicians, wedding coordinators. Team Bridal Hot List was there on the scene to report.

The day began with a short mock ceremony accompanied by both a four piece string quartet and an acoustic guitar. The musicians took turns showcasing different takes on classic wedding songs.

The mock ceremony included a couple doing a quick walk through in full wedding day attire. Even though they weren’t a real couple, they looked fantastic together!

Following the ceremony, we moved on to a cocktail hour in another reception area the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach has to offer. The cocktail hour was accompanied by The Marieve Herington Band and a dessert bar provided by the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. During this time, several models were on had to showcase trending wedding dress styles.

Lace was a big trend being showcased, as well as beautifully detailed backs. One of my favorite dresses was this short, mod-style wedding dress. The lace and the buttons are a major trend right now, and the detail on this is mesmerizing.

Following the gown showcase were the floral showcases courtesy of Paradise Delight Floral & Event Productions. The arrangements ranged from classic and beautiful to progressive and trendy.

My favorite arrangement was the display of calla lilies in the large flute glasses. The tones of the chevron runner and the flowers were beautiful, and the floating candles made the arrangement perfectly romantic.

This gorgeous reception hall also featured Undercover Live Entertainment, where they got us dancing, and having a great time. Super high energy and fun!

There was another reception area set up with a DJ, beautiful floral arrangements, and a 3D photobooth. The arrangements here were provided by White Orchid Productions. Simply stunning!

Live! Your Wedding Day was an absolutely amazing experience and incredibly inspiring. Events like this are an excellent resource for newly engaged looking for inspiration. It was great to be able to window shop different wedding looks in all aspects of the wedding. The Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach was incredibly accommodating, as well as a gorgeous location for events.

Did you tune into last night’s episode of “Four Weddings” onTLC? What are your thoughts of the four brides and their weddings? What details stood out for you? Was there one bride which had a total “wow” wedding day? If you missed it, we have a recap of the episode right here:

Who are the Brides?:

Karen is ready to marry the love of her life and share that love with her two kids. Her wedding day starts with a evening ceremony set inside a banquet hall. The ceremony space is decorated with simple decor consisting of many candles and flowers. Karen walked in wearing a mermaid wedding gown with beading all throughout. The ceremony was personalized with the bride’s uncle officiating personal vows were shared, and all included were Karen’s two boys. After the kiss, the two love birds were handcuffed together as they exited the ceremony. Just adjacent to the ceremony location, the reception room was ready for the guests. The centerpieces featured vases with candles floating on top, a single rose, candles, and all on top of a square mirror. After a buffet which consisted of sandwiches, the guests joined the couple and danced the night away.

Michelle a bride who is ready to dazzle her guests with purple colored details. Her ceremony is set at a church with purple details all throughout. The pews are decorated with purple bows, the alter is decorated with white and purple flowers, and greenery. The bridesmaids all wearing purple dresses with purple flowers tied with a silver ribbon. After a heartfelt ceremony, and jumping over the broom, guests enter into the reception space. The centerpieces were very simple, and the four tiered white cake had touches of bling. Michelle had a dress change, and her second dress was a V-necked short white dress with some sparkle. After the wedding festivities, the couple exited their wedding with a red sports car.

Megan is a bride who goes Southern with a vintage style at her wedding. Her wedding is set at an old plantation with the ceremony outside. The ceremony featured white chairs, a white alter with pink and white flowers, and a picket fence on the sides of the alter. The aisle was decorated with tin cans filled with baby’s breath hanging off the chairs. Megan’s brother walked her down the aisle and then joined her groom at the alter. During the vows, the groom’s daughter joined the couple. After the “I Do’s”, the couple exit the ceremony and the guests go inside the plantation for cocktail hour. The reception took place under a white tent outside. The guest tables featured a simple centerpiece. Candles and baby breath flowers. The cake was four tiered cream colored with lace, and a flower arrangement on top.

Tamika is ready to “wow” her guests at her over the top bling wedding. The wedding took place at the famous Superdome where the New Orleans Saints play football. Outside the Superdome, the ceremony took place with very minimal decor. A white aisle runner, crystal chandeliers down the aisle, and chairs with purple sashes. After the exchange of the rings and the kiss, the ceremony is complete. The reception took place at the club close by. Simple tables with rhinestone candles, white lounge furniture, and purple up lighting. The cake table had a personalized crystal centerpiece and featured four cakes all decorated with bling and flowers. When the second line started, guests danced from the inside all the way to the outside.

A Hot Detail: There was one detail from each wedding that stood out for me. What I thought was so super unique and personal at Karen’s wedding was the cake. Her four tiered cake complimented her wedding gown, with all the bling and other gorgeous details. I thought this made her cake very personalized and memorable. What I absolutely loved at Michelle wedding was the second line featuring a brass band. There were purple umbrellas and lots of high energy! I thought it was something fun for guests to enjoy . Very memorable! I adored Megan’s bridal gown. It was a fitted A-line lace dress with a beautiful veil. It was perfect for her vintage style wedding. At Tamika’s wedding ceremony was her grand entrance. She came in with a white horse and carriage. It looked like Cinderella’s carriage. A total “wow” factor, and perfect for a princess bride!

Who won?: Congrats to Meganfor winning! She and her husband won an all expenses paid honeymoon to Ancient Israel. I was not surprised about Megan winning at all, she seemed to deserve it! As soon as I saw her wedding, I knew that she would win. I loved it! Her wedding did not compare to the rest. I loved it all! While I can not account for the food since I wasn’t actually there, all the other details – venue, bride’s dress, and originality – were owned by Megan’s wedding. I thought that every detail of her Southern vintage theme was absolutely perfect. Her flowers, the dress, the gorgeous venue, and that cake, was all amazing. Simply beautiful! Great job Megan! So how did the other three brides score? Tamika came in second, Michelle in third, and Karen in fourth. Were you surprised by the results? Love to hear from you, so please share!

Did you watch last night’s episode of “Four Weddings” onTLC? What are your thoughts of the four brides and their Florida weddings? What details stood out for you? If you missed it, we have a recap of the episode:

Who are the Brides?:

Sarah, a bride who is a total country girl, and shares her love with the outdoors with her guests. The wedding takes place at her parent’s home, with the ceremony outside on the yard under a huge tree. There are hay stacks for seats, and hanging mason jars with baby’s breath decorated down the aisle All around are guests in cowboy boots and hats. The processional begins with the groom and his men on a tracker, with the bride and her girls on a monster truck. The girls wearing lace dresses with cowboy boots, and the men in jeans and their cowboy boots. After sharing personal vows, the couple departs in a monster truck with kegs hanging off the back. During cocktail hour, the bride and groom along with their wedding party take photos with guns in hand. The reception space is also outdoors, featuring simple decor. Each table has a tree stump with mason jars full of flowers. After a country style buffet, guests choose a flower pot style cupcake or a white flower designed cupcake. The guests then got their hoedown and danced the night away under the stars.

Carole, a bride who loves her sweets. The ceremony takes place on the courtyard surrounded by greenery and water. The decor is simple with purple rose petals down the aisle runner, and white small columns with purple ribbons. The couple shares a Jewish ceremony, as they stand under the chuppah with their family. After the groom breaks the glass, and they tie the knot, guests take a trolley to the reception space. The centerpieces were handmade by the bride, and they were silver branch style decor with purple flowers. Guests walk around the brunch stations to choose their meals. The wedding cake was a three tier cake with the middle tier covered with rainbow sprinkles, and the top tier with a rubber ducky groom and bride.

Jenelle is a bride who shares her love for Asian style at her wedding. The ceremony takes place at a local church. The decor was very simple with Asian style fans decorated along the aisle and some white flowers. The ceremony brought together the bride and groom with their two children as they take part in a Unity Sand ceremony. After tying knot, guests take a ride to a friend’s house where the celebration continued. Set outside in the backyard, the cocktail hour and reception takes place. Under the white tent, the tables are set with some Asian inspired decor. Each guest table had a lantern with rocks around it and candles. Above the tables hung upside umbrellas. During cocktail hour a lady dressed in a Kimono was serving drinks. After an Asian style buffet guests have a chance to send a wish lantern up to the sky.

Annie is a fashionista bride who starts her wedding at a local church. Inside the church, white tulle with hot pink ribbons are decorated down the aisle. The bridesmaid dresses were all designed by the bride. The groom shares his vows through a rap poetic style. After sharing their first kiss as a couple, the couple is now married. The reception space is a grand space with hanging chandeliers, pink up-lighting, and table centerpieces that are tall white candelabras with hot pink lush flowers and bling. Annie surprises her groom with a dress change into a silver sparkling dress, and then performs a song and dance.

A Hot Detail: There was one detail from each wedding that stood out for me. What I thought was so amazing at Sarah’s wedding was the S’mores station. Well, it was not an actual station, however there was a fire pit, where you can make your own s’mores. How awesome is that? I am a huge s’mores fan, so I totally loved this idea. Perfect for a country outdoor wedding. I can taste them now. Yum! What I absolutely loved at Carole’s wedding was the sweet station. There was a huge table full of an assortment of candy and sweets. Guest grabbed a bag, and filled their bags with their favorite treats. Fun and sweet! I loved the grand entrance of Jenelle and her husband. As they walked in, fireworks went off and lit up the sky. I love fireworks and thought t was the perfect way to make an entrance at a wedding. I really loved that part. I thought that the party vibe was great at Annie’s wedding. Guests were handed some fun props like hats and oversized glasses, to dance around with. Then confetti dropped from the ceiling down. I love a fun scene at a wedding. It is a celebration after all.

Who won?: Congrats to Carolefor winning! She and her husband won an all expenses paid honeymoon to Amsterdam. I was kind of shocked about Carole winning. I did like her wedding details and sweet sensation wedding theme, however I liked Sarah’s wedding the best. I thought she really did a such a great job in putting together a rustic, country look for her wedding, I really thought it was country without being to casual and plain. I would have loved to be at Sarah’s wedding! However, I did like Carole’s Jewish ceremony, color scheme, and fun candy station. For sure, thought that her love for sweets was shown on her wedding day. So how did the other three brides score? Sarah came in second, Annie in third, and Janelle in fourth. Were you surprised by the results? Love to hear from you, so please share!

Did you watch last night’s episode of “Four Weddings” onTLC? What are your thoughts of the four brides and their New Orleans weddings? What details stood out for you? If you missed it, we have a recap of the episode:

Who are the Brides?:

Joanna, a bride who shares her Mardi Grass family traditions with her guests at her wedding. The day starts off with the ceremony inside a grand room, featuring tall ceilings, beautiful chandeliers, a balcony, and a unique aisle runner. At the ceremony spot, the white tiered cake with red roses stands tall. Joanna enters the ceremony coming down the stairs from the balcony. Her laced dress with tied satin sash fits her beautifully as she walks down the staircase. The reception space is in the same room as the ceremony, and there was minimal decor. The centerpieces were tall vases with white orchids on top. After enjoying a mashed potato bar, and spicy gumbo, a special surprise arrives. The Mardi Grass Indians arrive to perform. They featured her father, her uncle and other family members. The second line comes and brings guests to dance and wave their red napkins around. A good time indeed.

Emma, a Southern bride who loves bling and wants to give her guests the feel of the French Quarters. The wedding takes place in the evening at an outside space which gave a French Quarter feel. The ceremony featured balconies, old world lanterns, white flowers, and a beautiful iron gazebo with white draping and bling. After a special and touching ceremony, guests are welcome to the reception space. The French Quarter look continues into the reception room. There are guest tables up on the balconies and each table features a rhinestone decorated vase with white and pink flowers on top of a lighted platform. All around the reception space a touch of bling is found. From cake, to buffet stations, to the wedding dress. After dinner, Emma and her groom along with their guests danced the night away. The second line band entered the room, and guests followed right behind and danced their way to the outside area. The night ended with sparklers as the guests bid farewell to the bride and groom.

Brittany is a princess bride who loves sweets. The wedding is set at a castle and the ceremony space takes place right outside the castle. The ceremony colors were red and white. The ceremony had white benches, a white aisle runner with red roses lining the outsides, branches tied with red ribbon down the aisle, and red rose balls hanging off the pews. After sharing personal vows, they tie the knot, and ready to celebrate with their guests. Inside the castle, the reception is decorated with red and white colors, white linens with white chairs and red sashes. The guest tables featured a centerpiece made up of a rhinestone decorated base with a branch and red flowers. After a buffet style dinner, guests stopped by the candy station featuring red and white colored candies.

Anitra a bride who holds religion close to her heart, but also wants to party at her wedding. Her ceremony takes place at the church where she grew up at. Inside the church, it was decorated with white roses, white candle stands with candles, and white tulle. After a traditional Baptist ceremony, guests enter the reception space. Each table had a tall vase with a full red rose centerpiece. The dinner buffet offered traditional New Orleans food stations. The wedding favors were going fast like hot cakes. The wedding favors were small King’s cakes. The second line band showed up with bride and groom, and gathered guests to join them for all the fun and celebrating. Umbrellas and all.

A Hot Detail: There was one detail from each wedding that stood out for me. What I thought was super sweet at Joanna’swedding was the family dance that was performed. Joanna and her groom with their children performed a special dance for all their guests. I thought this was so sweet and fun for all of them to do together. Very cute! What I absolutely loved at Emma’s wedding was the one site artist that painted a picture of the venue with the bride and groom and their guests. I thought this was something very unique and personal. What a great way to create a memory piece from Emma and her groom’s wedding day. Very special! I loved Brittany’s wedding cake. It was an all white tiered cake with some fairytale details. There was a horse and carriage, a glass slipper, Cinderella and Prince Charming figurines, and a castle. So cute and perfect for a fairytale wedding. I adored it! I was head over heels for Anitra’s wedding gown. It was fitted on top a had chiffon ruffles at the bottom, and touches of bling. It fit her so beautifully, and she looked absolutely gorgeous. A definite show stopper!

The winner, Emma

Who won?: Congrats to Emmafor winning! She and her husband won an all expenses paid honeymoon to the Mexico. I was not at all surprised about Emma winning. I loved all the details of her wedding. While I can not account for the food, I thought that the venue, dress, originality, and overall theme exceeded the rest. She pulled off the French Quarter theme with a touch a bling in the most elegant way. The bling was not too over the top, but had just enough to make a sparkle. Bianca looked beautiful and seemed that her and her guests had a great time. For sure a wedding that I wish I could have attended! Amazing job Emma! So how did the other three brides score? Joanna came in second, Anitra in third, and Brittany in fourth. Were you surprised by the results? Love to hear from you, so please share!

Did you watch last night’s episode of “Four Weddings” onTLC? What are your thoughts of the four brides and their weddings? What details stood out for you? If you missed it, we have a recap of the episode:

Who are the Brides?:

Andria, a bride who is nontraditional and shares her wedding day in Cape Cod. The ceremony took place inside the country club ball room facing the windows. The decor was very minimal with a few flower arrangements. After a emotional, and personal ceremony, guests are welcomed to cocktail hour. The guest table decor at the reception had glass bowls with red flowers immersed in water, a candle, and fish swimming inside. Andria shares her first dance with her husband dressed in her strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline, and some bling. Since Andria is a nontraditional bride, instead of a cake, pumpkin and apple pies were displayed. A live band was entertaining guests, and Andria joined in and sang a few songs for her guests.

Enza is a bride who loves the fall season and all the fall elements. Unfortunately on her wedding day, Hurricane Sandy decided to stop by, and the initial ceremony space that was going to be in the outside courtyard had to be moved to a new location. The ceremony space was under a grand white tent, with flowers and bows on the ceremony chairs down the aisle. Inside the estate, cocktail hour is offered for the guests. After a flip of the ceremony space, the reception was ready for guests. The colors of ivory with fall color scheme were throughout, including the centerpieces. Tall centerpieces with a flower arrangement on top were set on the guest tables. Guests danced the night away and the dance floor was full.

Lisa is a bride who loves honey sweetness and shares her passion for bees with her guests on her wedding day. Set at a New England farm, the day starts with the ceremony. Inside a rustic barn, the ceremony had a elegant fireplace, candles in lanterns, and flowers of red, yellow, and green hanging off the white ceremony chairs. After a unity candle ceremony shared with their two children, they say “I do”, and are married. The ceremony space transforms into the reception with guest tables added. The guest table included a table number on a wooden piece, three simple flower arrangements, candles, and homemade honey jars for wedding favors. For some fun, guests took photos at the photo booth, and did some line dancing on the dance floor.

Heather a bride who loves the winter holidays and wants to have a merry time at her wedding. The ceremony takes place at a traditional church with only poinsettias as the only flowers. Heather is not a fan of flowers, so the bouquets were white fabric shaped like a ball, with a few ornaments attached. After a traditional ceremony, guests travel to a country club for the cocktail hour and reception. The escort cards were large gold or silver ornaments. The reception had hanging white drapery across the room with white twinkle lights, a couple of Christmas trees with white lights, blue up-lighting, and silver and gold ornament centerpiece. Each guest then danced around their own table and then chose a dance partner to share a dance with on the dance floor.

Cool factor: There was one detail from each wedding that stood out for me. What I thought was very heart felt and personal at Andria’s wedding was that instead of a bridal bouquet, she held a a single red rose in her hand, and as she walked down the aisle, members of her family gave her additional roses to create her bouquet. The red rose was for her father, who had recently passed away. I thought this was so unique, and a sweet way to honor her father on her wedding day. What was a pretty fun idea at Enza’s wedding was the “Musical chairs with a dollar bill”. Well this is the name I gave to this activity. At each table, a dollar bill is passed around, and when the music stops, the person with the dollar bill has to get up and dance around the table. What a unique and fun thing to do at a wedding! A great way to include the guests and have some fun. I loved Lisa’s wedding cake. It was a cake shaped as a bee hive with two small gold bees. Since Lisa is a bee keeper, this cake was perfect for her bee themed wedding. Just cute! I adored Heather’s wedding dress. It was a one shoulder dress with a beaded sash around the waist, and then a tulle full skirt. Princess style for sure. I thought it was perfect for her winter holiday wedding.

Enza, the winning bride

Who won?: Congrats to Enzafor winning! She and her husband won an all expenses paid honeymoon to the Caribbean. I was kind of surprised about Enza winning. I did like her wedding details and fall theme idea, however I liked Lisa’s wedding the best. I thought she really did a sweet job in putting together a bee lover wedding. It was done very elegantly So how did the other three brides score? Lisa came in second with only one point behind from Enza, Heather in third, and Andria in fourth. Were you surprised by the results? Love to hear from you, so please share!

Did you watch last night’s episode of “Four Weddings” onTLC? Here is a recap of the episode:

Who are the Brides?:

TLC’s “Four Weddings” Bride.

Jenna is a laid back bride who gets married at her childhood church. The church featured tall ceilings, and a modern design. Bridesmaids wore blue dresses and the groomsmen wore blue shirts and black suspenders. Sunflowers tied to the pews brightened the room. This wedding continues at the whaling museum, where the cocktail hour and reception takes place. A large boat in the middle of the cocktail hour “wows” guests as they walk in. Guests then enter the gallery rooms where large whales are displayed above the reception tables. Sunflowers decorated cupcakes instead of wedding cake were served to all the guests. Guests dance the night away with Jenna at the center, as she really gets down and shows off her dance moves.

Celeste is a backyard bride who shares her Mexican traditions with all her guests. Her love for family brings her wedding to her mother’s backyard. Traditional Mexican papel picados (paper banners), handmade by the mother of the bride hung above. Guests enjoyed drinks in their personal mason jars prior to the ceremony. The ceremony space was very casual and simple, with a gazebo, and stacks of hay for guests to sit on. Keeping with the backyard theme, the guest tables all featured two potted plants for centerpieces, and plant wedding favors for each guest. At nightfall, each guest sent a wish lantern into the sky.

Cammi is a Harvard Ph.D student for biological sciences, and spends her days in the lab. She adores her school and so has her wedding set at Harvard University. Harvard’s grand church with high vaulted ceilings, and stunning archways, sets the scene for the ceremony. An ensemble of musicians play music as guests arrive, and then for the grand entrance of the bride. A very formal affair. The rest of the day is set at a historical inn. A cocktail hour that features a bacon bar was definitely unique. To find their tables, guests picked up a lantern with a lighted candle inside, which also had their name and table number. The reception space was formal with red, black, and white colors. There was not only one cake, but three cakes total. One was a four tiered cake with red ribbons wrapped around each tier and red roses. The other two were for the groom and bride. A violin shaped cake for the groom, and the letter “H” for Harvard for the bride.

Anjali, a princess bride and her Prince Charming share their wedding at a grand castle. She is a princess with a prince planner. Her prince planned all the details of their storybook wedding. Guests walk through a red carpet draw bridge and enter the castle. The ceremony is inside a large dark hallway with lit candles, and medieval elements throughout. Very elegant. After the fairytale kiss, guests enjoy cocktail outside with sweeping views of the water. Caricature artists create personal portraits to enjoy and take home. The long hallway which was once the ceremony space was now the grand reception hall. Two long tables were set for guests to sit at. Wish lanterns were lit and sent off into the night sky.

Cool factor: There was one detail from each wedding that stood out for me. What I loved at Cammi’s wedding was that the centerpieces at each guest table was a bride cage and inside the lyrics and sheet music for their first dance. How cute is that? This was so unique and personal for the couple since the groom is a musician and they share love for music. I have never seen this at any weddings I have attended or planned. I really loved this idea! Celeste’s dress and veil was beautiful! I thought that the style fit her perfectly. I really loved the long veil. Even though I normally have seen long veils at church weddings, the veil worked for Celeste. It seems effortless, like the veil was meant for that dress and Celeste. Anjali’s cake was phenomenal! It was four cakes all connected by grand staircases, and the middle cake had a water fountain under it! Truly amazing! I thought it was perfect for a princess bride and her fairytale wedding. What I thought was so cute and fun was Jenna’s first dance with her husband. It started as a sweet slow dance and then the music picked up, and they danced to a choreographed fun dance. The dance was choreographed by Jenna herself, which I thought was super cute. How fun!

Who won? Congrats to Cammi for winning! She and her husband won an all expenses paid honeymoon to San Miguel, Mexico. I was not surprised about Cammi winning at all, she totally deserved it! Actually, as soon as I watched this wedding, without even seeing the rest, I knew Cammi would win! I loved everything about this wedding. While I can not account for the food since I wasn’t actually there, all the other details – venue, dress, and originality – were owned by Cammi’s wedding, easily exceeding the rest. I thought that every detail of her formal wedding was elegant and chic. A wedding which I think you would agree would be one to attend and really enjoy. Wonderful job Cammi! So how did the other three brides score? Amanda came super close (one point) at second, Celeste in third, and Anjali in fourth place. Were you surprised by the results?

Did you watch last night’s Holiday Special episode of “Four Weddings” onTLC? Here is a recap of the episode:

TLC’s Holiday Special of “Four Weddings”

Who are the Brides?:

Nancy absolutely loves Christmas and everything that it is. She is a Santa loving bride who wants to bring the Christmas spirit to all her guests at her wedding. The ceremony took place at a beautiful church where they had a traditional Catholic ceremony. The ceremony featured simple holiday decor, red rose petals, and bridesmaids wearing red dresses. The cocktail hour served a variety of food options for guests to choose from. Including a full size pig! The reception was held in gorgeous ballroom with a snowman, Christmas tree, and tall glass centerpieces which had snow-covered branches, a wreath, and red roses. Guests were handed out Santa Claus hats and Reindeer ears to wear and have some holiday fun. Santa even showed up and handed out candy canes! The live band played all night and guests danced the night away.

Davone a winter princess bride who enchants her guests at her wedding. The ceremony was a magical place. The room was decorated with all white decor and blue up-lighting. There were beautiful white branches with white twinkle lights, Christmas trees, white chairs, and white flowers. A true winter wonderland feeling. After the cocktail hour, guests go upstairs to the ballroom where the reception took place. The winter wonderland theme and all its sparkles continued in the reception. The ballroom featured a white cake with snowflakes and sparkles, sparkle table numbers, diamond ring napkin holders, and beautiful white branched centerpieces. The dancing was full of high energy and fun. Davone also changed into a second dress which showed off her bling bling shoes.

Lauren is a bride who wants to go back in time and have a Victorian Christmas wedding. The ceremony was at a church which featured white flowers, a cute little girl walking down the aisle, long flowing Victorian style dress with a long veil, and a red bridal bouquet. Lauren loves the snow and had it snow as guests walked into the venue where the cocktail hour and reception took place. The elegant ballroom had hanging large chandeliers, candelabras with flowers surrounding it on the guest tables, with all that highlighted with nice gold lighting. Dinner was a buffet with variety of choices. Not only were the guests having a good time on the dance floor, but the couple as well. Lauren took off her groom’s shirt and started to dance with him on the dance floor!

Sakinah brings in the New Year with all her guests at her wedding. A beautiful glassed room is where the ceremony takes place. There are white flowers, a few holiday decor, and white twinkle lights above. She surprised all her guests including her groom by wearing a red dress at the ceremony. It was a beautiful long dress which flowed open wide at the bottom and was accessorized with a lovely red hairpiece. The reception space had red, black, and white colors, huge flower arrangements on top of a tall vase on all the reception tables, and lots of line dancing. Since it was New Years Eve, guests got to wear New Years Eve hats and tiaras, and use the noise makers and blow-horns. Sakinah changed into her second dress which was a fitted red dress. She was ready to celebrate the New Year countdown.

Cool factor: There was one detail from each holiday themed wedding that stood out for me. Nancy’s dress was a form-fitting beautiful dress which had glittering twigs on the front, and tulle cupped sleeves. The dress fit her like a glove, and was just perfect for her. I really loved her dress! What I loved at Davone’s wedding was the personal vows shared between her and her partner Tiffany. The vows were very touching and heartfelt. You just could tell how in love this couple was and that true love was there for everyone to feel and experience. It was just magical and special, just like her winter wonderland theme. I really enjoyed it. Lauren’s reception featured a special performance of bagpipes dedicated to Lauren’s groom. Her groom is a firefighter and this was a way to celebrate him. I thought this was very personal and a special way to include the groom and highlight what he does. I think for the most part, brides will say it is their day, but it really is a day for the groom too. So I thought this was a great way to incorporate him. What I really liked at Sakinah’s wedding was the whole idea of having a New Years Eve theme wedding. What a great way to start the New Year with your new husband and all your guests. There was a countdown, red balloons were dropped, and then a total party vibe was created. How unique and fun to go to a wedding for a New Years Eve party? How fun!

Who won? Congrats to Nancy for winning! She and her husband won an all expenses paid honeymoon to a ski and spa resort in Alaska. I was actually surprised about Nancy winning. I am normally pretty good about guessing who the winner will be each week, so was shocked when Santa came out the limo. Do you want to know who I thought would win? Devone! While I can not account for the food since I wasn’t actually there, all the other details – venue, dress, and originality – were owned by Devone’s wedding, easily exceeding the rest. I thought that every detail of her wedding reflected her diamond winter wonderland theme. In any case, Nancy did have a killer dress and fit her perfectly! I did love it, so great job Nancy! So how did the other three brides score? Lauren came in second, Devone in third, and Sakinah in fourth place. Were you surprised by the results like I was?

Did you watch last night’s Thanksgiving special episode of “Four Weddings” onTLC? Here is a recap of the episode:

Special Thanksgiving episode of TLC’s “Four Weddings”

Who are the Brides?:

Judy’s daughter is Jessica who is a princess bride who marry’s her Prince Charming. Jessica had a fairytale wedding which took place at a magnificent castle. The ceremony took place outside the gorgeous castle overlooking the ocean. Jessica wore a princess style dress, fitted on the top and flowed wide on the bottom. The couple shared personal vows with each other. Following the cocktail hour, guests headed inside the castle for the reception. The reception featured a dinner buffet, cigar station, and each guest took home a key styled bottle opener.

Beth’s daughter is Brianna who is a laid back and relaxed bride. Brianna had a very unique wedding that took place at the aquarium. As guests walked in, they passed by the stingray display, and had a chance to touch them! Her ceremony took place under a beautiful gazebo featuring traditional Irish bagpipes and ancient Celtic ritual of hand-fasting. The reception took place inside and had some wonderful features. It had beautiful tall flower centerpieces, penguin ice sculptures, and a very cute sweetheart table.

Karma’s daughter is Kassondra is a party loving bride who loves to have a good time. The ceremony took place inside with the bridesmaids in dark blue dresses and groomsmen in grey suits. The ceremony was very touching and ended with the jumping of the broom. The ceremony space flipped to a gorgoues reception space with touches of pink. The night was not dull or boring, actually the opposite. Karma danced all night long at her daughter’s wedding along with all the other guests. A total party vibe for all the guests to enjoy.

Gisella daughter is Concetta who is an Italian bride who loves everything Italian. Her ceremony was at a gorgeous church featuring stunning stained glass windows and beautiful murals. The ceremony was traditional yet had humor which the minister shared with everyone. Gisella’s dress was long, with a beaded top, and a lovely long veil which she wore all night. Gisella insisted that her daughter needed to wear it all day long. So she did! The cocktail hour had a large spread of various foods offered for all the guests to enjoy. There was barbecue ribs, a seafood bar, a pasta station, fruit, chicken, lobsters and more. Yes, lobsters at the cocktail hour. The reception took place inside a lovely banquet hall which was decorated very elegantly. Hanging chandeliers, beautiful branches with twinkle lights on them, and lighted tables. A very whimsical feel. Concetta and her gests danced to the music of a live band.

Cool factor: There was one detail from each wedding that stood out for me. Jessica shared wishing lanterns with all her guests.Wishing lanterns are airborne lanterns that are sent up in to the air. At nightfall, each guest lit a lantern, made a wish, and sent off the beautiful lanterns into the night sky. I thought this was something very special that each guest was able to take part of and very memorable. It also made for a beautiful night scene. Brianna’s venue was very unique and offered features which you normally would not see at a wedding. I absolutely loved the idea of having the cocktail hour surrounded by all the exhibits. From crabs, to an assortment of fish, octopus, and even sharks. It was neat to be able to dine with the sharks! I think that it was something pretty cool. Kassondra’s wedding reception did not have the traditional flower or candle centerpieces. Instead, each table had a cake for a centerpiece! I thought this was a pretty unique idea and was very cute. Once it was dessert time, the cake was replaced by a plate of chocolate covered strawberries.How great is that? What I loved at Concetta’s wedding was the four course dinner menu. Guests could choose from seven entrees. Normally, if it is a sit down dinner, you have two maybe three choices to choose from, however at this wedding, you can choose from seven! I think that food is one of the most important elements of a wedding. If your guests have options, good options and it tastes good, then they will have a better time. Otherwise, you will just have a bad taste in your mouth, and nobody wants that. Having such a large amount of food and choices worked perfectly for an Italian style wedding.

Who’s daughter won? Congrats to Gisella for winning her daughter a honeymoon! Her daughter and groom won an all expenses paid honeymoon to the countryside of France. I was not surprised about Concetta winning at all, she seemed to deserve it! While I can not account for the food since I wasn’t actually there, all the other details – venue, dress, and originality – were owned by Concetta’s wedding, easily exceeding the rest. I thought that every detail of her wedding reflected her Italian theme. The expansive spread of food, the gorgeous church, and whimsical decor all came together perfectly. It looked like a joyful, fun, and elegant wedding to be at, and I’m sure viewers (like me) could tell how in love the couple was. Great job Gisella and Concetta! Concetta’s mom help plan this amazing wedding for her daughter, and she did it all right. So how did the other three brides score? Judy’s daughter Jessica came in second, Beth’s daughter Brianna in third, and Karma’s daughter Kassondra in fourth place. Were you surprised by the results?